Laserfiche WebLink
REPORT OF THE POLICY <br />COMMITTEE ON PLANNING, <br />LAND USE, AND DEVELOPMENT <br />DATE: October 2, 2024 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Hilo, Hawaii <br />TIME: 9:02 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 1057/Bill No. 212 <br />Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development, to which was referred Bill <br />No. 212, reports as follows: <br />Bill No. 212, transmitted by Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz via Communication No. 1057, <br />dated September 13, 2024, amends Chapter 5, Article 3, Division 2, Section 5-3-22, of the <br />Hawai'i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to building permit exemptions. <br />The bill exempts greenhouses and other accessory structures with a floor area of 1,000 square <br />feet or less and located on agriculturally -zoned land from the requirement to obtain a building <br />permit; and increases the maximum cost of repair work for which a building permit is not <br />required from $7,500 to $25,000. <br />As Bill 212 was introduced, Committee Vice Chair Holeka Inaba assumed the role of Acting <br />Chair, with Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz presenting her bill. <br />Ms. Kierkiewicz explained the bill seeks to mitigate unintended consequences of the current <br />Building Code by reducing unnecessary permitting burdens. It reinstates building permit <br />exemptions for accessory structures, provided no electrical and plumbing systems were installed, <br />and includes greenhouses in the exemption. She further explained that the threshold for building <br />maintenance costs was raised to account for increasing material and labor expenses, enabling <br />essential repairs and upkeep maintenance without the need for a building permit. Ms. Kierkiewicz <br />emphasized that the bill is designed to bolster local food security and strengthen housing resilience <br />by reducing regulatory barriers. <br />Public Works Director Steve Pause and Building Division Chief Julann Sonomura were present <br />in Hilo Chambers to address any concerns. <br />Mr. Pause clarified that accessory structures cannot be used as residences, in accordance with the <br />Building Code and confirmed that the building permit exemption only applies if no electrical or <br />plumbing work is performed. Ms. Sonomura added that the bill aligns with the provisions of <br />Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Section 46-88. <br />PCPLUD Report No. 15 <br />